Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Set in Stone ❯ Confrontations and Secrets ( Chapter 2 )

So I'm not actually sure if anybody's actually reading this, if you are could you leave a note so I know, I actually forgot that I had uploaded it so I also forgot to add chapter 2 but here it is, I've just finished my 5 day weekend, wooh I hate school, and now I've got to pick my subjects for grade 11 but I don't know what to choose. I've got an interview about it this afternoon so we'll see what happens. Anyway I don't own Fullmetal alchemist, putting that in every chapter's going to get annoying. And I hope you like the chapter, it kind of starts off slow the story I mean.

 

Chapter Two

Confrontations and Secrets

 

`In the part of this universe that we know, there is great injustice, and often the good suffer, and the wicked prosper, and one hardly knows which of these is the more annoying.'

-Bertrand Russell

 

“It sure is a nice place you've got here, Hawkeye, though I suppose I can't really call you that anymore.” Ed grinned, as she led him inside the huge house. “And it's just the two of you here?” he asked slyly.

 

“And Black-Hayate of course.”

 

“Of course. So when does Mustang eventually show up?” He asked, dropping his light suitcase on the spotless floor and looking around. The house was indeed beautiful, and he wondered how they had been able to afford it. Last he had known the both of them were living in shabby apartments. Well, Hawkeye's was considerably cleaner, but still shabby.

 

The hallway was painted white, with a decorated rug continuing down the path. The lounge was luxuriously furnished, black leather seats and a glass coffee table. There were paintings hung on the wall, mostly scenery views, and a considerably large bookshelf, with what looked like alchemy books. There was a large window that over looked a veranda with a pool in the back yard.

 

“Once he's finished his paperwork he should head home, sometimes he does head out, but I think he'll be coming earlier so he can question you.” She answered, setting the groceries they had picked up on the way in the kitchen.

 

“The only thing you're missing in this house is a Television.” Ed sighed wistfully. “Maybe I could make one.” He pondered aloud, “But then there's be no stations, I'd have to make a camera too, and I don't know how they work. Damn.”

 

“What are you going on about Ed? A television?” Hawkeye stared at him. “And we've plenty of cameras that Hughes had given Roy.” She said.

 

“Not moving ones.” He said, thoughtful. “Hey Hawkeye?” he asked. She looked over at him curiously.

 

“D'you think you could show me where they buried him, I haven't been yet…” She nodded.

 

“I wasn't aware you knew he had passed on.” She said quietly.

 

“Scheiska kinda let it slip when we were hiding out in Risembool, gotta remember to punch the Colonel for that. I don't care what his reasons were.” He said before she could begin to defend him. “So I know the Colonel was promoted what about you lot?” he asked conversationally.

 

“I've been promoted to Colonel.” She replied.

 

“Ooh, you beat me now. What a shame.” She smiled at him.

 

“I'll still call you `sir' if it will make you feel better.”

 

“Nah, Ed's good.”

 

“All the rest were made Second Lieutenants. Apart from Breda, he's a First Lieutenant now, and Havoc's a Major.”

 

“Well look at all of you, rising through the ranks, and I'm still the lowest a state Alchemist can be.” Ed said with a grin. “Am I even a state alchemist anymore, I doubt they renewed my license for no reason?” he wondered.

 

“That's what the majority of Roy's paperwork is tonight, sorting out the trouble you've caused.” Ed smirked.

 

“I'm glad to be of help.” He said. She turned and begun to cook some food in the kitchen. “Need any help?” he offered.

 

“I don't trust alchemist's in my kitchen.” She answered. “When I said flame grilled, I didn't mean set the kitchen on fire. Because of that, no one is in the kitchen but me when I'm cooking.” She answered. Ed laughed.

 

“Winry won't be arriving until tomorrow morning sometime; I've organized for Mrs. Hughes to pick her up from the train station and she'll either stay with them, Scheiska or Alphonse.” Hawkeye stated.

 

“Alright.”

 

They both sat in silence for a while, the only sound the noise of Hawkeye in the kitchen and Black-Hayate barking at people passing outside. Once she had started everything, she showed Ed the room he was going to be staying in. He flopped down on the bed after she had gone and took off his boots. He sighed heavily and took out a photo from his pocket. He stared longingly at the picture for a moment, before he heard approaching footsteps, and hastily stowed it away.

 

Riza appeared in the door frame again, stating that dinner was almost ready and she suggested he wash up.

 

“What happened between you and Alphonse?” she asked later, when they were enjoying the meal. Ed had to admit, she was a good cook. He swallowed the potato he had been devouring and sighed.

 

“I don't know,” he admitted. “I went to visit him first after getting the address from a phonebook and we talked for a while. One thing led to another and when I wouldn't tell him where I'd been we started arguing.” He took a few bites of the schnitzel and continued. “It's not like we haven't argued before, we always use to when we were kids and then there was that one time when he ran away and was off galumphing with scar.”

 

Hawkeye nodded. “Don't talk with your mouth full.” She said. He rolled his eyes and swallowed.

 

“Something was strange though, he kept getting confused at some of the simplest things I'd say,” He said. Hawkeye looked at him as though realizing something. “What?” he asked, bits of broccoli flying everywhere. “Sowee” he gulped it down. “Sorry,” he repeated.

 

“I suppose it's understandable, no one's told you yet if Alphonse was indeed the first person you saw.” He looked at her curiously. “No one but you seems to actually know what happened the night you disappeared. The girl from Lior, Rose, told us you had died, that Alphonse had used the Philosophers stone to bring you back, and then disappeared. But because she left afterward, we've no idea what happened.” She explained.

 

Ed nodded in affirmation. “All we know, is Al was found, a ten year old boy again, with no memories of the four years you had spent together, and that you were no where to be found.” Ed gaped at her.

 

“Nothing?” he said, taken aback. “He doesn't remember anything?” Riza shook her head. “From what point?” he asked.

 

“He doesn't remember your attempt to bring your mother back, nor anything past that. He got his body back the way he had lost it, and the memories that had been with it.” Ed stared at her, surprised, his mouth open slightly. Then he closed it, and looked down.

 

“I suppose its better that way.” He said, shocking Hawkeye. “A lot of it wasn't pretty.” She gathered up their empty plates, putting them in the sink of water.

 

“Would you forget it? If you had the chance?” she asked. Ed smiled.

 

“No, I suppose not.” He replied. “Thanks for the dinner, it was delicious, I haven't had good food in a while.”

 

She smiled politely, restraining herself from asking where he had been. He'd tell her when he was ready.

 

He got up and took over the chore of doing dishes. “I've done it before; I'm not going to blow up the kitchen.” He argued when she protested. Eventually she gave up and let him do it, going and sitting down on the couch in the lounge. “I just…” he began hesitantly, not facing her. “He's happy.” He said finally. “He's got a wife, which was a shock and they're going to have a kid, I…I don't want to ruin that with my problems. I don't think he wants me back there. That argument broke out so easily.”

 

“Of course he wants you back. He spent most of your years apart searching for you. You're brothers; nothing's going to change that.”

 

“Hmm, maybe so. But he's distant, and I'm not all that willing to tell him what's been going on either. If he really doesn't remember, it's not like he's going to understand why I'm always so…” he stopped, searching for the right word.

 

“Angry?” Hawkeye suggested.

 

“I was going to say secretive, but angry works too.” He chuckled. He finished the dishes and left them to dry on the rack. “I was wondering if I could have a shower?” he asked.

 

“You sure have gotten some manners Ed, don't ask for something; just announce it. We're all practically family here.” She said.

 

“Thanks.” He said quietly, “Could you look after my arm. Actually, if Winry's coming tomorrow, throw it out.” He said, popping the arm out, much to Hawkeye's surprise. “Plastic,” he explained. “Automail doesn't exist where I was; this was the best they've got.”

 

“What about your leg?” she asked. Ed smiled and pulled up his leg pant, revealing the flesh beneath.

 

“Good as new.” He replied, heading out to have a shower. Riza stared at the arm in her hand for a second, then laughed, and tossed it out for Black-Hayate to chew on. He barked happily at her, and turned to bury it in the lawn.

 

 

When Ed returned from his shower, Mustang and Hawkeye were sitting on the lounge talking.

 

“Have you guys been making out while I was gone?” he asked foolishly.

 

“Of course, what else would we do to pass the time, while you took as long as a woman does to have a shower?” Mustang answered.

 

“Hey, I have long hair.” He rebutted, while Hawkeye rolled her eyes at their antics.

 

“You owe me Fullmetal, do you have any idea how much paperwork I had to do to get your records to say `alive'?” he complained.

 

“Good, I hope the pile was as high as Mount Everest.” He replied cheerfully.

 

“What?” The both of them said.

 

“Really big mountain…ah never mind.” He said, waving his arm at them.

 

“What happened to your arm Fullmetal?” Mustang asked.

 

“I gave it to Black-Hayate.” Hawkeye said calmly.

 

“I'm surprised that dogs still alive, it's like,” he paused, doing the math in his head. “130 something in dog years.”

 

“He's a survivor.” Hawkeye answered fondly.

 

“Look, Fullmetal, we need to talk.” Mustang said shortly.

 

Here we go. Ed thought. “First things first, how have you been doing?” He asked, much to the surprise of Ed.

 

“What?” Ed asked, looking at him incredulously.

 

“You were right, back in my office, no one but Riza had actually asked anything along those lines, at least from what you told me. And it should have been more important than where you had been. So how have you been going? What's new?” Mustang asked, Hawkeye nodding in agreement.

 

“Alright I suppose,” he said raising an eyebrow. “I've run into a bit of trouble here and there but I appear to have a knack for attracting it.” Ed said after a while. “I wasn't really expecting that.”

 

“Then perhaps we should fill you in on what's been happening here. From what Riza has told me you were already informed of Alphonse's situation. After he was in Risembool for a while, he returned to Dublith with Izumi. I don't really know all that much about what happened after that, he traveled a bit. Once you get over your fight you can ask him yourself.” Mustang supplied.

 

“After Fürher King Bradley was defeated, the military handed over control to the assembly. It's been governed like that for a long time, the small wars stopped years ago, though I think there's still a few going on over by the Eastern Borders. Needless to say, the change definitely was for the better.” Mustang remarked.

 

“Sometimes a political party isn't the best way to run a country, I think we finally struck lucky with the leaders huh?” Ed said.

 

“Sounds like you've learnt a lot on your travels, Fullmetal. Anyway, everything has been going considerably smoother, Riza and I were married almost 6 years ago, and I believe Alphonse got married 2 years ago.”

 

“Winry went and studied in Rush Valley, she and Alphonse made a promise about something, but I'm unsure what it was. I know that…Pinako passed away.” Hawkeye said hesitantly.

 

“I kind of expected that. She was old, and Al told me.” He said quietly.

 

“Scheiska's still doing work for the military, just office stuff though. We had her transferred under Roy's command, but she still does all the stuff she did before.” She continued.

 

“The Ishbalan policy was reversed, the city's been rebuilt, Armstrong helped out there, and he's quit the Military now, and is working for his family business or something.” Mustang said.

 

“What of Lior? And Rose?” Ed asked.

 

“Lior was also rebuilt, they're still doing it though, and there was a thorough search into what had happened. Actually,” Mustang walked out of the room and came back a moment later, “they found this in the search.” He handed Ed what seemed to be a pocket watch.

 

Ed flipped open the cover, and sure enough scratched into the surface was the familiar message. Don't Forget 03.Oct.11. He laughed, “Seems like so long ago that I wrote that.” He said.

 

“What happened on the 3rd of October?” Hawkeye asked. Ed snapped the watch shut and pocketed it.

 

“That's the day we burnt down our house.” Mustang smirked slightly, remembering what a stubborn, hot-headed child Edward had been.

 

“I know Rose is still living in Risembool with Winry and that Child of hers. I think he's taken over Winry's part as apprentice mechanic.” Mustang continued.

 

“That sounds right; Winry would drag someone else into her crazy obsession. She can't help herself.” He replied.

 

“So what's your story Fullmetal? I didn't do all that paperwork for nothing.” Mustang said.

 

Ed grinned. “Well I don't know if it was quite enough to outweigh all the insults over the years, or the fact that you've kept me in the dark all the time, shall we see how you like it, huh Mustang?” he asked mockingly.

 

“Do you have a wish to become barbequed dog food Elric? No? Then I suggest you start talking.” Mustang said, holding his fingers, ready to snap threateningly.

 

“If I didn't tell Al, you've got no chance in hell.” Ed said cockily, then stood up and stretched. “I'm pooped. I'm gonna head off to bed, goodnight.” Mustang looked like he was about to explode.

 

“Hey! I want answers!” He demanded, stopping Ed from leaving.

 

“You haven't asked any questions, worth answering.” Ed replied turning to face the two, Hawkeye looking on warily, knowing a fight was going to break out.

 

“What the hell is going on? You disappear for 15 years, and come back all secretive.” Mustang said. “Something's not right here, you won't snap when someone mentions your height, or lack thereof, and you go and start an argument with your brother.”

 

“I didn't start that argument Mustang! Don't start meddling in things you don't understand.”

 

“Maybe I'd understand a little better if you'd tell me something so that I'm not entirely in the dark here.”

 

“You'd be better off not knowing.”

 

“I've put my life on the line, my career on the line for you and your brother before! What makes you think you can't trust me now!”

 

“It's not that I don't trust you Mustang! I tell you an awful lot compared to a lot of other people! But my safety's not the only one in jeopardy if I were to tell you what I've been doing for the past 15 years!”

 

“What the hell have you gone and done now!” Mustang said, exasperated.

 

“It's none of your business, you wouldn't understand anyway!” He was about to say some more when the both of then froze at the sound of a gunshot making a hole in the floor between them. Both heads turned slowly towards Hawkeye, two guns in her hand, pointed at the both of them.

 

“Both of you, shutup.” She said calmly. She turned to Ed. “Roy is right. We deserve to know something.” She turned to Mustang. “Ed's also right, he's been back for a day, give him some time.”

 

“But-” Mustang began.

 

“No buts. You've got all day tomorrow, to think of some sort of truthful explanation Ed, whether it just where you've been, what you've been doing, or the entire story.”

 

“I'm not going-” Ed started.

 

“We've put ourselves in danger before Ed, there's not much you can say that would stop us this time.”

 

“It's not the same this time Hawkeye,” he said, frustrated at them for not understanding. “This time it doesn't involve you. I'm not going to drag more people into this that don't need to be involved.” He said forcefully. “And you can shoot me all you want; I still won't tell you a thing.”

 

With that he turned on his heel, heading into the guest room, muttering darkly in German.

 

“Was it just me, or did none of that make sense?” Mustang asked, confused by the language.

 

“That wasn't in English.” Hawkeye confirmed, putting both her guns away. “I don't like this Roy, I didn't want him to come back and be like this.” She said.

 

“Neither did I. I'm getting answers.” He said determinedly.

 

“Be careful, I don't want to scare him away.”

`I dream of a better tomorrow; where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.'